How I became... a dog whisperer

Mother-of-three Sandra Darcy, 45, has created her dream job at Bethells Beach, running a farm-style boarding kennel on her family’s lifestyle block.

"I really didn’t want to go back to working in an office after having my three kids. Then four years ago, I was asked if I would look after a rough coat collie while his owners went on holiday. He had such a great time romping in the paddocks and swimming in the stream that I slowly took on a few casual borders in between being a mum and looking after the farm animals on our two hectare property that’s 40 minutes from central Auckland.

"A year ago, we decided we would just go for it and create a farm-style boarding kennel for dogs. My husband Gerry, who races greyhounds, worked day and night building the kennels. I bought a computer and friends helped me learn how to use it. I don’t have a website yet but I load photos of our canine borders on Facebook – usually at midnight after everyone has gone to bed – and it sells itself with all the lovely comments from our clients who can log in and see their dogs having fun on their holiday.

"My speciality is small dogs who are housed in the cutest playhouses with their own verandahs. I fit them out with carpet, mini beds and sofas and there’s even framed doggie pictures on the walls! I have had so much fun doing this it is hardly what you could call work. These playhouses are right beside our house so the little dogs can see and hear us all the time which keeps them content.

"Dogs have always been a part of my life and I’ve bred rough coat collies. But I never thought I would be actually earning money from something I enjoy so much.

"I get so much pleasure watching the dogs playing together – they are real timewasters! It’s fantastic to see dogs that have never been on a farm smelling the air of the country and seeing pigs and sheep. All their instincts come to life! Seeing the faces of dogs who normally live in the city going swimming for the first time and being able to run free with other dogs.

"I live and breathe dogs now. I wake up at 5am and my first thoughts are which doggie guests will be arriving that day and which ones will bond well together.

"I am really proud of what we have achieved with Bethells Farmstay for Dogs. It has changed my life and although it is really full-on, I still have time for the kids and their sports. They help me with everything from exercising the dogs, feeding out, washing dishes, grooming or just playing with the dogs.

"The word has spread really fast and we now have many regulars. But we don’t want to get too big as I believe in quality not quantity so dogs get more individual attention.

"I’m living my dream on five acres with a beautiful family and working from home with my favourite animal. I still can’t quite believe we did it!"

Interview and photograph by Rosalind Le Bas Walker.